Top 3 Shows 2007
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October 21 - Ryan Adams, Massey Hall, Toronto
The last time I saw Ryan Adams I walked out of his double set - to match a just released that day double disc Cold Roses - show at The Warehouse. I had even bought the new disc and listened to it all day before this concert so I could enjoy it. Adams, however, was being an absolute premadona prick to the audience and I left just as the second set start.
Flash forward to this year and I reluctantly take an extra ticket from a friend. This time, however, the recipe is perfect: Adams is off booze, drugs and anything else illicit. His band is one sickingly tight set of musicians. Adams was upbeat and jovial. The set lasted nearly 2 hours. The range of material played included all the good stuff from now and then. Massey Hall equals indescribable magic.What more could a Ryan Adams fan want? How about the entire concert recorded directly from the board, post-mixed and made available for download with Ryan Adams blessing.
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November 27 - Neil Young, Massey Hall, Toronto
I really do not need to write much here. Watch the various YouTubes from any of the four night run Neil did at Massey Hall and you'll know what I mean. I was very very lucky to be given a ticket front row balcony almost centre. He played two of four of my favourites "Heart of Gold" and "Cortez The Killer". This is remarkable for me considering his own commented he made to a really annoying audience (one of the worst I've had to sit with) would not stop yelling out requests: "I don't know that one but I 600 other songs that all sound the same."
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September 12 - Bill Callahan, Music Gallery, Toronto
The Music Gallery is one of those venues that every good musician should play one day. It's small, intimate, has beautiful natural acoustics and makes me wish the church I went to as a kid was this cool. Bill brought a band with him. He dressed up nice and fancy. He played a great selection of songs from both his older Smog albums and his latest "solo" effort. His music is so earnest sometimes it hurts but when you see him play it live it's honestly is comforting.